Ski harness



Aug. 7, 1945. D. A. WALLACE SKI HARNESS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 14,1942 INVENTOR DAV/0 /l., W/ILLHCE Aug. 7, 1945. D. A. WALLACE SKIHARNESS Filed May 14, 1942' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 :2 %E Ww 6 4 1 r V 1 m m A(w \J m m. A n u, n v 2 m r 2 u u u INVENTOR D/iV/Q A. W/lLL/IU PatentedAug. 7, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SKI HARNESS.

Y Da vid'A. Wallace, Detroit, Mich. Application May,14, 1942, Serial No.442,889

' solaims. (crest-11.35)

This invention relates'to an improved skihar- HESS.

More particularly the invention relates to the provision in a skiharness of improved toe clamping mechanism. I

One of the main objects of theinvention is the provision of improved toeclamping mechanism which is adapted to release the toe of a skishoe whenthe latter is twisted to a predetermined angle with respectto the lengthof the ski to which it is attached in .order to guard against excessivetwisting of the skiers leg and consequent injury.

A further object of the invention is the provisionin ski harness toeclampingmechanism of means for adjustably predetermining the angle oimovement of a ski shoe with respectto-the ski at which releasing of theshoe occurs.

A further object-of the invention is to provide means for yieldablyclamping the toe of a shoe to a ski whichis adjustable in tensionwithout varying the-angle at-whioh release of; the toe clamping actiontakes place.

A still further object of theinvention is the provision of means forindependently predetermining the position of opposed jaws of toe clamping mechanism of this character by individual adjustment of theresilient members by which they are urged together.

- An additional-object of the invention is to provide means in skiharness toe clarhpingmechanism by which can be independentlypredetermined the angles on'respectively opposite sides ofthe'longitudinal' axis of a ski at which releasing of the shoe will takeplace in order that the shoe may, if desired, be automatically freedfrom the ski'when turned to a difierent angle in one directionwithrespect to the ski than in an opposite direction; t

Another object of the invention is the provision of a heel holdingspring in a skiharness of this kind whichiserves to urge the shoeintoclamping engagementwith the to'eclamp during normal operation andwhich also functions to automatically eject the shoe from the harnesswhen the toe of the shoe is released from the toe clamp by twisting ofthe shoe relative to the ski in the plane of the latter.

Illustrative embodiments of the'invention are shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FigQlis a side elevational view of a skiharness embodying the inventionshowing a ski shoe in placethereon. v

2 is aplan view of the ski harness illustrated in Fig. 1, the 'shoebeing removed.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig.1.

Fig; 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing in plan view a ski harnessembodyinga modified form of the invention. I

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the ski harness shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan View of a ski harness embodying another form of theinvention.

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical sectional View taken online 'I-I of Fig.6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentaryplan view of a ski harness embodying a stillfurther development of the invention.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs.

1 to 3', inclusive, my improved ski harness comprises a base plate I0secured by screws II and I2 to theupper surface of a ski l3 which has atransversely extending recess I4 formed in its upper side immediatelyrearwardly of the rear ed e of the plate I I]. A pair of toe clampelements I5 are pivotally attached at their forward ends to, the plateI0 by screws I6 which are adapted to beselectively positioned in any ofa plurality of apertures I1 formed in the forward portion of the plateIII. The rear end portions of vthe elements I5 are provided with hooksI8 for connection with opposite extremities of a tension spring I9 bywhich the free end portions of the clamp elements I 5 are yieldably,resiliently urged toward each other. I

Formed on the outer edge portion of the elements I5 areupstandingflanges 20 which converge forwardly sufficiently to conform tothe taper of the front or toe end portion of a shoe. Mounted on each ofthe flanges 20 is an inwardly projecting member 2| which is locatedimmediately above the upper side of the shoe sole 22, shown in Fig. 1,and which is adapted to extend intothe Welt portion of the shoe in orderto obstructupward displacement of the toe portion of the shoe from theski harness.

The inwardlyprojecting members 2| are detachably and adjustably mountedon the respec-v tive upstanding flanges 20 by a lug 23 and threaded stem24 which may be selectively inserted in pairs ofapertures 25 formed inthe flanges 20 as shown in Fig. 1. A nut 26 on the threaded stem 24detachably secures each inwardly projecting member 2 I in place. I

A shoe sole contacting and supporting plate 21 is disposed insuperimposed relation above the clamping elements I5 and held, at itsforward end, out ofinterferring engagement with these elements byspacers 28 through which screws 29' extend. The screws 29 are adapted tobe threaded into selected apertures 30 formed in the base plate iii inorder to selectively position the plate 21 and abutment 3| formed in theforward extremity thereof. The abutment 3| comprises an upstandingflange which is adapted to engage and arrest forward movement of thefront extremity of the sole portion 22 of the shoe. The rear end portionof the shoe sole contacting plate 21 has a downwardly ofiset marginalpart 32 which is detachably secured to the ski |3 by screws 33. A plate34 mounted on the upper side of the ski at a location rearwardly of theplate 21 serves to bring the heel 35 of the shoe to a desired elevationrelative to that portion of the sole of the shoe which is held by theplate 21.

The shoe is urged forwardly against the abutment 3| and maintained inclamped engagement with the flanges 20 of the elements l by resilientmeans of conventional construction comprising a spring 36 whichsurrounds and fits into a groove formed in the heel 35. The forward endof this spring may be releasably tensioned by a toggle acting clamp,generally designated by the numeral 31, and which includes a lever 38pivoted on a bracket 39 on the upper side of the ski l3, a connectingmember 40 having a plurality of notches in which the forward end of thespring 36 is selectively engageable, and a link 4| by which the leverand connecting element 40 are operatively connected. Pivotal movement ofthe lever 38 in a counter-clockwise direction serves to tension thespring 36 for urging the shoe forwardly of the ski. The intermediateportion of the spring 36 may be held out of interferring relation withrespect to the shoe and clamping mechanism by tongues 42 struck out of aplate 43, one of which is mounted on each side edge of the ski. Thisdeflection of the spring 36 causes a downwardly directed force to beexerted on the shoe for yieldably urging the latter toward the ski.

In the operation of the ski harness shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the toe endportion of the ski shoe is yieldably held against lateral movement bythe pivotal clamping elements l5 while the shoe is urged forwardly andthe heel portion thereof urged downwardly by the spring 36, the abutment3| arresting forward movement of the shoe. In the event the shoe istwisted in either direction in the plane of the upper surface of theski, one of the clamping elements I5 is rotated outwardly about itspivot while the other element [5 is rotated inwardly about its axis bythe spring I9 until arrested by abutment of the flange 20 against theedge portion 44 of the shoesole supporting plate 21 from which it isheld in spaced relation by the sole 22 of the shoe while the latter isaligned with the ski. Since the shoe is held against forward movement bythe abutment 3| which acts as a fulcrum, further twisting movement ofthe shoe after pivotal movement of one clamping element |5 has beenarrested results in withdrawing of edge portions of the shoe on one sidethereof from beneath th inwardly projecting member 2| of that side, thuspermitting the shoe to become detached from the ski. The spring l9 thusretains the flanges 20 in clamping engagement with the sole 22 of theshoe while the latter is angularly displaced from alignment with thelongitudinal axis of the ski a predetermined amount corresponding to thedisplacement by the shoe of the said one clamping element |5 from itsinnermost position plus an amount corresponding to the width of theinwardly projecting member 2| of that clamping element.

The amount the clamping elements are spread by the shoe may be variedfor any one shoe by changing the position of the supporting plate 21..

This action takes place when a skier falls, en-

counters an obstruction or is otherwise subjected to possible injuryresulting from action which tends to twist his leg or legs. The amountof relative twisting movement of the shoe with respect to the skirequired to release the shoe may be predetermined by selectivelypositioning the shoe sole supporting plate 21 longitudinally of the ski.The maximum force to which a skiers leg is subjected before the shoe isreleased from the ski may be predetermined by selecting a spring IQ ofdesired tensional strength. The position of the shoe with respect to thelongitudinal axis of the ski may be selectively predetermined to suitthe operator by selectively positioning the pivoted ends of the elementsl5 at the location of the various apertures With the foregoing skiharness the skier may locate each shoe with respect to each ski in theforegoing manner to comply with his individual requirements and he mayalso limit the strain to which his legs will be subjected due tounintended twisting by the skier.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 the mainportion of the ski harness is substantially identical to that shown inFigs. 1 and 3 and corresponding parts are designated by the samenumerals. In this development of the invention the pivoted toe clampingelements |5 have converging edge portions 46 and rear extremities whichbear against an adjustable abutment 47. The latter serves to arrestinward movement of the elements |5 due to twisting movement of the shoof the nature above described. This abutment comprises a body portion 48which is mounted to slide longitudinally I of the ski under the actionof a screw 49 having its forward end journaled in an aperture formed ina flange 50 extending upwardly from the portion 48. The screw 49 isthreaded in a nut 5| rigidly secured to an upstanding flange 52 of aplate 53 which is mounted on the ski I3 by screws 54. The forward end ofthe screw 49 is held against withdrawal from the aperture of the flange50 by a nut 55 which is pinned to the forward end of the screw. Byadjusting the position of the abutment 41 longitudinally of the ski theextent to which the shoe may be twisted relative to the ski before itsrelease therefrom may be selectively predetermined, the amount of suchtwisting movement corresponding to theangular displacement of theelements l5, by insertion of a shoe between the flanges 20, from theirinnermost positions as established by the setting of the abutment 41plus an amount corresponding to the width of one of the inwardlyprojecting members 2|.

The major portions of the ski harness shown in Figs. 6 and 7 aresubstantially identical to the structure shown in Figs. 1 to 3andcorresponding portions thereof are designated by the same numerals.In this form of the invention each toe clamp element I5 is provided witha rearwardly extending flange 56 having an aperture. through whichextends a threaded stud 51. Each stud 51 is supported at its inner endby a lug 58 extending rearwardly from the center portion of the rearedge of the base plate ID. A spring 59, mounted on each stud 51 bearsbetween a flange 56 and a nut 6|] adjustably threaded onto the outerextremity of the stud. Th'e springs 59 yieldably urge the elements |5inwardly toward each other with a forcewhich may be selectivelypredetermined by individual adjustment of the nuts 60. 'Inward movementof the elements I is arrested byengagement of the outer edge portion 6 lthereof against the head of a screw 62 which is threaded into the baseplate ID. The limiting inward positions of the elements l5 maybeselectively predetermined by selecting a screw 52 having'a head ofsuitable diameter. The amount of twisting movement of the shoe which maytake place before'it is released accordingly corresponds to the angulardisplacement of the elements [5, by insertion of a shoe between theflanges 20, from their innermost positions as established by the 'sizeof the head of the screw 62 plus an amount corresponding to thewidth ofone of the inwardly projecting members 2 I. The forces with which therespective elements I5 are urged inwardly may be individuallypredetermined by independent ad- J'ustment of the nuts 60 and themaximum strain upona skiers leg or legs by twisting of the ski inrespectively opposite directions may be independently limited to conformto desired values.

The form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 8 is similar to that shownin Figs. 6 and '7 and corresponding parts are designated by identicalnumerals. In this form of the invention however a nut 63 is threaded oneach stud 57 between the lug 58 by which the studs are supported and therespective flanges 56 of the elements IS. The nuts 63 serve asadjustable abutments for selectively and individually variably limitinginward pivotal movement of each toe clamping element l5 respectively.With this form of the inventiofi the amount of relative twisting of theshoe with respect to the ski in opposite directions before detachment ofthe shoe from the ski occurs may be individually predetermined. Theamount of twisting movement of the shoe which can take place before itis released accordingly corresponds to the angular displacement of theelements l5, by insertion of a shoe between the flanges 20, from th'eirinnermost positions as established by the positions of the nuts 63 plusan amount corresponding to the width of one of the inwardly propectingmembers 2|. The force opposing outward pivotal movement of each elementmay also be individually selectively predetermined.

Although but several embodiments of the invention are shown anddescribed, it will be understood that various changes, including thesize, shape and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing fromthe spirit of 'th'e invention and it is not my intention to limit thescope thereof other than by the terms of the appended claims.

What I claim is: v

1. A harness for clamping a shoe to a ski and the like comprising anabutment securable to said ski for engagement with the toe extremity ofsaid shoe, a pair of toe clamp elements each pivotally mounted on saidski at a location in advance of the part "thereof which normally supportthe shoe and adapted to extend along one side of the toe portion of saidshoe respectively, said elements having inwardly projecting partslocated rearwardly of the pivotal axes of said elements and engageableover forwardly converging opposite edge portions of the sole of saidshoe, resilient means disposed rearwardly of said inwardly projectingparts yieldably urging said elements pivotally toward each other, saidresilient means being adapted to retain said toe clamp elements inclamping engagement with said shoe throughout a predetermined range ofangular movement of said shoe with respect to the longitudinal axis orsaid ski and the projecting part of one of said elements beingdisenga'geable from the edge portion of said soleby relative separatorymovement when said shoe is twisted while held against forward movementby said abutment substantially in the plane of said ski beyond saidpredetermined range of angular movement in order to accommodateseparation of said ski and shoe prior to twisting of a skiers foot andleg to an injurious position, and means for urging said shoe forwardlyinto clamped engagement with said toe clamp.

2 A harness for clamping a shoe to a ski and the like comprising anabutment securably to said ski for engagement with the toe extremity ofsaid shoe, a pair of toe clamp elements each pivotally mounted on saidski at a location in advance of the space thereon normally occupied by ashoe and adapted to extend along one side of the toe portion of saidshoe respectively, said elements having inwardly projecting partslocated rearwardly of the pivotal axes of said elements andengageangular movement,- a stop for limiting pivotal movement of one ofsaid elements during pivotal movement of said shoe beyond saidpredetermined range in order to accommodate disengagement of saidprotruding part of the latter element from the edge portion of said soleby relative separatory movement substantially in the plane of said skiand separation of said shoe from said ski when said shoe is twistedbeyond said predetermined range of angular movement, and resilient meansfor urging said shoe into clamped engagement with said toe clamp.

3. A harness for attaching a shoe to a ski comprising a pair of toeclamp elements extending longitudinally of said ski, means for pivotallyattaching the forward ends of said elements to said ski in advance ofthe position thereon normally occupied by said shoe, resilient meansoperating upon the rear end portions of said elements for yieldablyurging the latter together, an inwardly projecting member on each ofsaid elements located rearwardly of the pivotal axis thereof and adaptedto engage over the edge portion of the sole of said shoe, a shoe solesupport extending over said toe clamp elements having an abutment inadvance of said members for arresting forward movement of said shoerelative to said inwardly projecting elements and a stop engageable witheach of said elements for limiting inward movement thereof, andmechanism for urging said shoe forwardly against said abutment.

4. A harness for attaching a shoe to a ski comprising a pair of toeclamp element extending longitudinally of said ski, means for pivotallyattaching the forward ends of said elements to said ski in advance ofthe position th'ereon normally occupied by said shoe, resilient meansoperating upon the rear end portions of said elements for yieldablyurging the latter together, an inwardly projecting member on each ofsaid elements located rearwardly of the pivotal axis thereof and adaptedto engage oVer the edge portion of the sole of said shoe, a shoe solesupport extending over said toe clamp elements having an abutment inadvance of said members for arrestingforward movement of said shoerelative to said inwardly projecting elements, an adjustable stopengageable with each of said elements for limiting inward movementth'ereof, means for shifting said stop and retaining the latter in aselected position, and mechanism for urging said shoe forwardly againstsaid abutment.

5. A harness for attaching a shoe to a ski comprising a pair of toeclamp elements extending longitudinally of said ski, means for pivotallyattaching the forward ends of said elements to said ski in advance ofthe position :thereon normally occupied by said shoe, resilient meansoperating upon the rear end portions of said elements for yieldablyurging the latter together, an inwardly projecting member on each ofsaid elements 10- catedrearwardly of the pivotal axis thereof andadapted to engage over the edge portion of the sole of said shoe, a shoesole support extending over said toe clamp elements having an abutmentin advance of said members for arresting forward movement of said shoerelative to said inwardly projecting elements, a stop engageable with atleast one of said elements for limiting inward movement thereof, andmechanism for urgin v aid shoe forwardly against said abutment.

6. A harness for attaching a shoe to a ski comprising a pair of toeclamp elements extending longitudinally of said ski, means for pivotallyattaching the forward ends of said elements to said ski in advance 'ofthe position thereon normally occupied by said shoe, resilient meansoperating upon the rear end portions of said elements for yieldablyurging the latter together, an inwardly projecting member on each ofsaid elements located rearwardly of the pivotal axis thereof and adaptedto engage over the edge portion of the sole of said shoe, a shoe solesupport extending over said toe clamp elements having an abutment inadvance of said members for arresting forward movement of said shoerelative to said inwardly projecting elements, a pair of independentlyadjustable stops one engageable with each of said elements,respectively,-for limiting inward movement thereof, and mechanism forurging said shoe forwardly against said abutment.

, DAVID A. WALLACE.

